We had a reader post an interesting hypothesis recently, that if you’re the type who spends more money because he appreciates the differences in high quality tools, you’re more likely to put that appreciation for quality into your woodworking projects.

Because it was in a thread titled “Grizzly 1023 vs. Delta Unisaw” I draw certain conclusions, though I’ll bypass those and try to pull out the more universal meaning of his comments ;)

Here are his words exactly:

I usually find people’s choice in tools to be reflected in the quality of their work. People who appreciate quality produce quality. People looking for a bargain usually produce a bargain product.

There is a reason quality machinery costs what it does.

Now, he’s not saying that merely spending more money on tools will make you a better woodworker. He’s saying that an appreciation for quality tools often accompanies the production of quality work.

Further, that people who purchase lower quality tools haven’t developed the capacity to appreciate what it takes to make quality work. (I guess we’d have to set some standards for what exactly is quality work of course… ;)

In your experience have you found this to be true? Do woodworkers who seem to have an appreciation for quality in their tools make cleaner, more tight fitting joints? Are their angles more square? Are their finishes finer?

Remember, I’m NOT asking “does spending more money make you a better woodworker…” Just whether there’s a relationship between that appreciation for quality tools and the attention to detail required to make quality work.

As a generalization it would be mostly true, although there is some fine work done by some very frugal people, not to mention some old timers working with antiques.
People who know and produce quality work, usually can appreciate quality tools.
People who do quality work can usually afford quality tools.